Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) is usually grown under rainfed environments and often encounters drought stress from limited rainfall. Little information is available about shoot and root traits in association with drought tolerance. We studied variability for root and shoot traits related to drought tolerance using an F6–8 population of 133 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from the cross ILL6002 × ILL5888. We found important variation between genotypes and also high variation in heritability values for root and shoot traits at 38 days after sowing the parents and RILs under both well-watered and drought-stressed treatments during two consecutive seasons in the greenhouse. The higher heritability values were obtained under drought stress treatment and suggest that selection in water-limited environments would be more effective in achieving genetic gains. Drought had reduced trait values, except root–shoot ratio that was likely to be enhanced underlying the importance of this trait for drought tolerance. The quantitative and continuous distributions of variation are the evidence for polygenic control of these traits and the possibility of mapping the quantitative trait loci (QTL). Statistically significant associations between root and shoot traits such as dry shoot biomass and chlorophyll content were noted, highlighting the reliability of indirect selection for underground traits (root) based on these aboveground traits in breeding programs. Significant correlations and regressions were demonstrated between dry root biomass, lateral root number, root surface area, dry shoot biomass, root–shoot ratio, chlorophyll content and drought tolerance as estimated by wilting severity from limited water supply. This shows the importance of a well-developed root system and early biomass development for drought tolerance. Identification and mapping of QTL related to studied traits in this population would be a first step for starting marker-assisted selection

In the absence of previous molecular characterization, we assessed genetic diversity of 53 Moroccan lentil landraces including two local cultivars using simple sequence repeat (SSR) and amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP). Nineteen SSRs yielded 213 alleles, and seven AFLP primer combinations gave 766 fragments of which 422 were polymorphic. Moderate to high genetic variation was observed. Several small groups of landraces were differentiated. Interestingly, one of the smallest groups contained short‐cycle landraces with high early vegetative growth. Landraces in that group were from the dry land location of Abda, where they were likely selected for adaptation to drought and heat stress over centuries. Another group contained two landraces from highland areas that may have been selected for specific adaptation to cold stress. A third group contained one landrace from the Zear region known for its seed quality and has been proposed for the protected designation of origin (PDO) quality mark. Both techniques gave evidence of differentiation of the latter landrace supporting the idea of PDO attribution. Functional grouping according to agro‐environmental origins, cycle duration and early vegetative vigour was observed.

The Mediterranean region has a rich history of domestication and cultivation of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.). Landraces have been grown and repeatedly selected by local farmers under different agro-environments. Characterization of molecular variation and genetic differentiation helps to ensure enhanced valorization, conservation and use of these genetic resources. Nineteen Simple Sequence Repeat DNA markers were used for molecular variance analysis (AMOVA) and population structure assessment underlying 74 lentil landraces from four Mediterranean countries: Morocco, Italy, Greece and Turkey. Based on AMOVA, presence of population structure and genetic differentiation at different levels were evidenced. Genetic diversity among Turkish landraces was higher than that of other countries. These landraces were more homogeneous as shown by low genetic differentiation among individuals within each landrace. Whereas Moroccan landraces followed by Italian and Greek provenances showed higher diversity and differentiation among individuals within landraces. The wide genetic variability of these landraces could help to better adaptation to biotic and abiotic stresses. Moreover, they could provide useful alleles related to adaptive traits for breeding purposes. Based on structure analysis, we obtained indications of possible presence of two major gene pools: a northern gene pool composed of Turkish, Italian and Greek landraces, and a southern gene pool composed of Moroccan landraces. Our results could be of interest when designing future diversity studies, collection missions, conservation and core collection construction strategies on Mediterranean lentil landraces.

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus subsp. culinaris) is one of the oldest food legumes and is the third most important one in Morocco. It provides a valuable and balanced protein source in the human diet and plays an important role in cropping systems because of its ability to fix nitrogen. The productivity of the crop suffers because of numerous biotic and abiotic factors. High‐yielding cultivars with improved characteristics are needed to increase lentil production and profitability. ‘Chakkouf’ (Reg. No. CV‐34, PI 663991) lentil was developed using both modified pedigree and bulk methods by the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Morocco in collaboration with the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas. Tested as ILL 6001‐81, Chakkouf was approved for release in 2009 by the Office National de Sécurité Sanitaire des Produits Alimentaires, Morocco. Chakkouf is a selection from an advanced F6 line, FLIP 86‐15L, which was derived from a cross of ‘Precoz’ (ILL 4605; PI 515969) with ‘Laird’ (ILL 4349; PI 471916). Chakkouf is an early‐flowering (∼88 d), early‐maturing (∼139 d), and high‐yielding (∼40% over the local check variety ‘L24’) lentil cultivar with high zinc (62 mg kg−1) and iron (76.7 mg kg−1) in the seeds. Chakkouf showed good agronomic performance under drought conditions and wide adaptation for the Moroccan semiarid environments. Chakkouf showed field resistance for rust [caused by Uromyces viciae‐fabae (Pers.) J. Schröt] and Ascochyta blight (caused by Ascochyta fabae Speg. f. sp. lentis) during the years of evaluation in replicated yield trials in all experimental stations. Chakkouf offers the producer an economic advantage in cropping systems where it is planted as a rainfed crop in moisture‐deficient soils, usually in rotation with cereals.

No abstract

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) is an important grain legume worldwide. It contributes to sustain farming through its ability to fix N in soils and to enhance human nutrition and health thanks to its nutritionally rich grains. In Morocco, it is consumed as staple food by a large proportion of the population. However, the country depends on importation to meet the national demand at the cost of losing valuable currencies. One of the factors limiting lentil production in Morocco is the availability and use of certified seeds of improved varieties. In this research, we aimed at evaluating genetic gain from breeding, adaptation and stability of available improved varieties to make recommendations aiming to enhance their use and adoption by farmers. We studied 9 registered varieties and two candidate lines in 14 different environments for grain yield. All the tested varieties and candidate lines had higher yield than the actual average yield of lentil in Morocco. Significant increase and higher genetic gain over the local check were observed from 1989 to 2018. Up to 35 kg ha−1 yr−1 genetic gain for grain yield was obtained. The yield advantage of improved varieties over the local check increased from 16 to 67% from 1989 to 2018. Most of varieties have wide adaptation and respond positively to the increase of environmental index. The environmental factor in terms of the amount and distribution of rainfall has a determinant effect on grain yield for all varieties and candidate lines. However, differences in the degree of adaptation and stability of these varieties were observed. These results could help draw more attention to lentil in Morocco and define efficient strategies that make the best varieties available for farmers from the perspective of enhancing national production.

No abstract

Drought stress is one of the major factors limiting the growth and development of legumes. In order to improve water deficit tolerance of this crop, several techniques have been put into practice such as seed priming or the selection of tolerant genotypes to water stress. In 2020, field experiment was conducted to assess the drought tolerance of thirty-six chickpea genotypes (C. arietinum) by analyzing the behaviour of certain physiological and biochemical parameters of plants harvested in a randomized field experiment. The genotypes analysed presented a diversity of behavior concerning the accumulation of mineral elements under drought. The results showed an accumulation of inorganic ions, especially calcium and potassium (1.8 and 2 mg.g -1 , respectively) and increased proline and protein content (3.4 and 1.7 mg.g -1 , respectively) has been observed in drought tolerant chickpea genotypes. Also, the results obtained showed that the P contents in the aerial parts are generally higher for plants with a high biomass, such as the case of genotypes V36 and V32. This tends to prove the positive effect of P on plant growth. After analysis of the various parameters, the results obtained allowed us to classify the tolerant genotypes:, V36, V38 andV41, intermediates: V40 and V4 and sensitive: V17 and V28.